IHG Announces Strategic Alliance With The Coca-Cola Company

ATLANTA, April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- InterContinental Hotels Group ( IHG) (LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)), one of the world's leading hotel companies, and The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), the world's largest beverage company, today announced a new multi-year agreement to offer the refreshing Coca-Cola soft drink and juice brands + that guests enjoy during their stays at IHG brands in the United States, representing more than 3,200 hotels. These two well-known companies, both with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., have strong portfolios of favorite consumer brands that are instantly recognized and preferred around the world. This new agreement will provide a best-in-class, consistent beverage brand experience for our guests across all IHG hotel brands including: InterContinental ® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza ® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo ® hotels, Holiday Inn ® hotels, Holiday Inn Express ® hotels, Staybridge Suites ® hotels and Candlewood Suites ® hotels, as well as provided on-post at IHG Army Hotels properties. In addition, select Coca-Cola products will be available for sale at IHG's new wellness focused brand, EVEN™ Hotels.

"IHG and Coca-Cola coming together is a great example of how powerful brands can align to deliver enriched experiences for our customers and drive value for our businesses," said Kirk Kinsell, Americas President, IHG. "We are responsible corporate citizens of the dynamic Atlanta community and through our brands create employment opportunities for thousands of people across the U.S.; we have strong track records of brand innovation and leadership in our industries; and, most importantly, we share a commitment to creating a more sustainable environment and giving back to the communities where we operate."

There are about 2,000 franchisees and owners in the U.S., who partner with IHG to deliver our hotel brands. The new beverage agreement will allow IHG to drive even greater value and returns for our business partners, many of whom are small business owners, through operational efficiencies, cost-effectiveness and access to additional brand and marketing innovation resources. IHG and Coca-Cola both have ambitious plans to grow their brand portfolios. For IHG, this will be accomplished by making their hotel brands the preferred choice for guests and hotel owners. This new agreement represents a strategic step toward realizing the company's goal.

"Our companies have a history of joining forces. Now, we are strengthening our alliance to meet the beverage needs of our guests and further enhance their overall stay experiences at IHG hotels," said Christian Hempell, vice president, Commercial Development and Corporate Partnerships, IHG. "This agreement was developed through collaboration with a group of our hotel owners with deep F&B knowledge, as well as through guest insights. When our guests walk into an IHG hotel, just as they expect exceptional service and an outstanding branded experience, they can now expect a consistent, high-quality beverage experience whether sitting down at a Crowne Plaza hotel bar or grabbing a Coca-Cola soft drink from the Candlewood Cupboard™ at a Candlewood Suites hotel."

"This enhanced relationship shows the strength of two Atlanta-based companies coming together to create an experience that brings the enjoyment of Coca-Cola brands to IHG's guests at more than 3,200 hotels across the country," said Bruce McDonald, vice president, Strategic Partnership Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. "We look forward to leveraging our joint sustainability activities and marketing programs to inspire and refresh guests through unique, value-added programs."

The majority of the U.S. beverage rollout is expected to be completed by the end of Q3 2014.